Best value car hire from top brands
Barcelona car hire tips
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Where to pick up your car
There are over 25 car hire locations in Barcelona, and the most popular place to rent
a car is Barcelona Airport (BCN). -
Top car rental brands
The most popular car rental brands in Barcelona are Firefly, Goldcar, Dollar,
Centauro and Europcar. -
Local currency
Euro (EUR)
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Average temperatures
Warmest month: August (24°C)
Coldest month: January (10°C) -
Side of road
Right
Hire a car in Barcelona
The capital of Catalonia is unconventional,
exciting and vibrant.
The second city of Spain doesn’t have any trouble getting visitors. In fact, Barcelona is the
3rd most visited city in Europe, after Paris and London. Gaudi’s eclectic architectural
playground, the city boasts hidden tapas bars, hipster neighbourhoods and the best city
beach in the world (according to National Geographic). It’s an extremely happy city, and
there’s great food everywhere.
Spain has the world’s 5th-largest motorway network, even though it’s the
52nd-largest country. This means it’s a real pleasure to drive around, the road quality is
good and most places are very accessible. Plus, hiring a car with easyCar couldn’t be
simpler. So, what are you waiting for?
easyCar customer reviews for car hire in Barcelona
“Very competitive rates and easy peasy booking process, will
definitely use again! :-)”
“The best price and full service with easyCar. Using it
frequently, and recommend to all!”
“Very helpful and very efficient could not have had better
service.”
Helpful advice
Driving age in Spain
Car hire companies have a range of restrictions on rental age, and this varies by country. If
you’re looking for car hire in Barcelona, the table below will give you a guide to some of
the most popular rental agents in Spain. Most companies require at least one year’s driving
experience, but companies like Sixt do offer a select range of cars to drivers as young as
18.
| Car rental agent | Minimum driving age(s) (depending on car category) | Young driver’s fee (under 25s / per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Sixt | 18, 21 or 25 | Around €40,00 |
| InterRent | 19 or 25 | €8,50 |
| Rhodium | 19 or 25 | €7,95-€25,00 |
| Hertz | 21, 23 or 25 | €27,83 |
| Avis | 21 or 25 | €20,95 + VAT |
| Enterprise | 21 or 25 | From €20,00 |
| Alamo | 21 or 25 | €20,00 plus + VAT |
| Europcar | 21, 25 or 30 | €18,08 |
Note: All car rental companies will add on an extra charge for drivers younger than 25 years
old. Some offer a flat rate, others will stagger the pricing.
Which car hire supplier is right for me?
As one of the biggest car rental brokers in the world, we’ve helped millions of customers get
the best deal on their car hire. One of the things that our customers find useful, is
knowing which brands are going to offer them the best experience. The table below highlights
the top six car hire brands in Barcelona by booking numbers and then by average rating.
| Our most popular suppliers |
Our highest rated suppliers |
|---|---|
| Firefly | Alamo |
| Goldcar | Dollar |
| Dollar | Thrifty |
| Centauro | Atesa |
| Europcar | Hertz |
| Alamo | Sixt |
We hope this helps you make an informed decision when booking with easyCar. Whether you want
to pay a bit more knowing that the company is really well-reviewed by our customers, or you
want to pick a more popular budget brand, the choice is yours.
Info on car hire in Barcelona
Average prices
| Car Type | Average cost per day of car hire in Barcelona |
|---|---|
| Mini | £11.90 |
| Economy | £13.20 |
| Compact | £17.00 |
Blood alcohol content laws
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Legal blood alcohol content for most drivers: |
0.5mg of alcohol per ml of blood. |
| Legal blood alcohol content for new drivers: |
0.1mg of alcohol per ml of blood. |
Speed limits
| Type of road |
Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Autopista | 120km/h |
| Autovia | 100km/h |
| Single carriageways | 90km/h |
| Built up areas | 50km/h |
Book your car hire now
Book by phone
+44 203 3186 960
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Barcelona
Should I rent a manual or an automatic?
Manual cars are going to be
better value, as the country predominantly uses them. Automatics come at a premium. If
you’re comfortable driving a manual, you’ll almost certainly get a better deal.
What’s the difference between an autovia and an autopista?
The main
difference is that autovias are free to use, whereas autopistas are toll motorways (the
majority of the time these will be faster and newer routes). Generally speaking, trying
to avoid the autopistas isn’t worth the saving.
How do I pay the tolls?
Toll roads are called autopistas, so look
out for roads beginning with AP on the map. When you get to the car hire desk, ask the
representative about toll roads. They may offer you a device which you can put into the
car to track the tolls you use, which you can pay at the end. Alternatively, the booths
accept cash and card.
Where do I pick up my car from Barcelona-El Prat Airport?
Most of the
car rental desks are located within the terminal building. A few offer a shuttle service
to their collection point.
Car hire pick up locations in Barcelona
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Where shall I pick up?
There are plenty of pick up points in Barcelona, both at the airport and downtown.
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How do I choose a supplier?
We compare 19 car hire companies in Barcelona, so browse our results and use our
filters to select the right one for your needs. -
How far is the airport from the city?
The journey by car is around 18km and takes about 35 minutes.
-
Which is cheaper – downtown or airport?
On average, a car from Barcelona-El Prat Airport costs £17.90 per day, whereas a
downtown hire costs £25.20 per day.
Spanish road signs
Turn on your lights
You’ll most likely see this sign before entering a tunnel, to remind you to
switch on your lights.
You do not have priority
This is an unusual rule which means that you must give way to vehicles
joining from roads on the right.
End of speed restrictions
This sign occurs at the end of a section of roadworks, and lets you know
that the previous speed restrictions no longer apply.
Other info about car hire in Barcelona
When to visit
| Best value months to visit | Average cost per day of car hire in Barcelona |
|---|---|
| November | £12.20 |
| October | £13.80 |
| January | £13.90 |
| February | £14.30 |
| September | £14.70 |
What’s popular?
| Frequently Asked Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the most popular rental length in Barcelona? | Six to seven days. |
| What is the most popular month to rent a car in Barcelona? | August, where a hire car costs on average £18.40 per day. |
A day trip from Barcelona to Monserrat
